12 Facts About Ralph Hepburn

Ralph Rodolphus Hepburn was a pioneer American motorcycle racing champion and an Indianapolis 500 racing driver.

Ralph Hepburn began riding motorcycles as a teen and his skills led to him signing on with a cycle performing group in 1914 that toured the West Coast and parts of the American Midwest.

Ralph Hepburn then began competing in on board tracks, then on dirt.

Ralph Hepburn then lent the motorcycle to Indian rider Joe Petrali, who won the race and shared the prize money with him.

Ralph Hepburn finished third in 1931, and although he led the famous race three times in three different decades and had four finishes in the top five, his best result came in 1937 with a second-place finish 2.16 seconds behind Wilbur Shaw, the closest ever at that time.

Ralph Hepburn led forty-four laps in the race before the car stalled on Lap 121.

In 1947, Ralph Hepburn joined Preston Tucker and Tucker Corporation and drove the prototype Tucker 48 onstage when it was unveiled to the public on June 19,1947.

Ralph Hepburn served as West Coast Regional Manager for Tucker Corporation.

Ralph Hepburn died practicing for the 1948 Indianapolis 500 while driving a Novi Special for Tucker Corporation.

Ralph Hepburn was survived by his wife Ida Mae Hepburn and one daughter Joanne Hepburn.

Ralph Hepburn is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.

In 1970, Ralph Hepburn was inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, and in 1998, he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.